A new "pay-per-view funerals" service will enable bereaved friends and relatives to watch proceedings on their computer screens if they cannot pay their respects in person.
Critics believe the Web casting of ceremonies from a suburban crematorium in the UK to the world is macabre. But from today, Southampton crematorium will begin the ?75 (US$150) per-family service.
The crematorium manager's, Trevor Mathieson, said he was keen to lay to rest the pay-per-view label.
"It's not as if we're Sky and broadcasting Premier League football. We're not putting the services on to the Internet for anyone to watch. Security is very important. It's all about offering a better service to people who are bereaved," he said.
A digital camera discreetly set up in a corner of the crematorium's east chapel captures the service. For ?75 a family is given a user name and password.
These can be passed on to people who cannot get to the ceremony and they can watch the service as it takes place. DVDs of funerals are also being offered for ?50 and audio recordings for ?25.
"It's not everyone's cup of tea," Mathieson said. "Some people will think it's not the done thing. But we live in a world where family members live all over the place. A lot of people cannot make it to a crematorium."
There has been strong reaction locally, however.
The Reverend Gary Philbrick, area dean for Southampton, said: "There are a lot of good things about it."
But he had reservations and, personally, did not like the idea of being filmed during a funeral.
Some have also accused Southampton City Council of trying to make a profit out of the service, but the authority says it will only break even.
David Powell, of funeral directors Henry Powell and Sons, said that during trials of the system he had organized funerals that have already been seen via the Web.
John Childs, who recently lost his wife Joan, was overjoyed to take part in one of the trials.
His son, Wayne, was with his mother when she died but work forced him to return to Australia before the funeral.
He and his wife's family were able to watch the Web cast.
"I've nothing but praise for it," Childs said.
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